U.S. patent number 8,992,305 [Application Number 11/991,814] was granted by the patent office on 2015-03-31 for systems for enhancing funding of gaming.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Global Cash Access, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Robert Vincent Connelly, Jr., Kirk Edward Sanford, Thomas Michael Sears. Invention is credited to Robert Vincent Connelly, Jr., Kirk Edward Sanford, Thomas Michael Sears.
United States Patent |
8,992,305 |
Sanford , et al. |
March 31, 2015 |
Systems for enhancing funding of gaming
Abstract
Apparatus and method for facilitating the funding of gaming and
preferably the purchase of gaming vouchers (slot vouchers) with
commercial bank cards and/or with casino and/or new credit accounts
(private label and/or affiliate/Networking permanent or temporary)
and/or the prompting of opening of a new credit account, including
an automated kiosk located on a gaming floor proximate to gaming
machines but separate from particular gaming machines, and
including method and apparatus for the purchase and redemption of
vouchers at a gaming table, including reading and printing
equipment in communication with a voucher host; also including a
prompt to open new a gaming oriented line of credit, associated
with a refusal of an EFT transaction, preferably a credit/debit
card cash advance request, and including a preferred gaming
oriented credit card account and card (private label and/or
affiliate/Networking permanent or temporary) (including a patron
selection coded card) having cash advance limits commensurate with
credit limits for gaming oriented transactions and wherein a cash
advance can be secured within an hour after the opening and
approval of the account, the approval of the account preferably
based on EFT gaming transaction history.
Inventors: |
Sanford; Kirk Edward
(Henderson, NV), Sears; Thomas Michael (Henderson, NV),
Connelly, Jr.; Robert Vincent (Henderson, NV) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sanford; Kirk Edward
Sears; Thomas Michael
Connelly, Jr.; Robert Vincent |
Henderson
Henderson
Henderson |
NV
NV
NV |
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Global Cash Access, Inc. (Las
Vegas, NV)
|
Family
ID: |
37865474 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/991,814 |
Filed: |
September 11, 2006 |
PCT
Filed: |
September 11, 2006 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/US2006/035250 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
March 10, 2008 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2007/033055 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
March 22, 2007 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20100222132 A1 |
Sep 2, 2010 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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10953032 |
Sep 29, 2004 |
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60716233 |
Sep 12, 2005 |
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60716808 |
Sep 14, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F
17/3244 (20130101); G07F 17/3262 (20130101); G06Q
30/02 (20130101); G06Q 20/18 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63F
9/24 (20060101); G06F 17/00 (20060101); G06F
19/00 (20110101); A63F 13/00 (20140101) |
Field of
Search: |
;463/42,25
;705/38,39 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1107196 |
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Jun 2001 |
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EP |
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PCT/US95/13166 |
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Apr 1997 |
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WO |
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PCT/US06/35250 |
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Sep 2006 |
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WO |
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Primary Examiner: Renwick; Reginald
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Weide & Miller, Ltd.
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to, is related to, and, to the
extent permitted, is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. Ser.
No. 10/953,032 entitled Purchase of Slot Vouchers with Electronic
Funds (Improved Method and Apparatus), filed Sep. 29, 2004 and
having inventors Kirk E. Sanford, et al. This application also
claims priority to, is related to, and is a continuation-in-part of
two co-pending provisional patent applications, filed Sep. 12, 2005
and Sep. 14, 2005, having titles "Systems for Enhancing Funding of
Gaming Using Kiosks" and "Improved Patron Funding and Rewarding in
a Casino Including a Gaming Oriented Line of Credit and an
Auto-Roll System," respectively, having inventor Kirk E. Sanford
and having application Nos. 60/716,233 and 60/716,808,
respectively.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for funding gaming using an automated kiosk located
proximate to but separate from gaming machines, having user
communication equipment and being in communication with a financial
transaction merchant and, directly or indirectly, a commercial EFT
network and a voucher accounting system that manages casino
vouchers for a plurality of players, said automated kiosk
comprising at least one processor, said method comprising the steps
of: receiving, using said automated kiosk's at least one processor,
input comprising information from a banking card belonging to a
first player among the plurality of players, said banking card
corresponding to at least one financial account associated with
said first player; receiving, using said automated kiosk's at least
one processor, input from said first player regarding an amount of
funds to access from said at least one financial account;
communicating, using said automated kiosk's at least one processor,
with said EFT network regarding a request to access said amount of
funds from said at least one financial account; when the automated
kiosk's at least one processor receives approval from the EFT
network for the amount of funds: communicating, using said
automated kiosk's at least one processor, with the voucher
accounting system regarding information for generating a funds
ticket in the amount of said funds; and issuing, using said
automated kiosk's at least one processor, a voucher from the kiosk
based on the information received from the voucher accounting
system, the voucher accounting system verifying that the voucher is
to be issued and maintaining real time audit information for each
voucher issued to one of the plurality of players; and, when the
automated kiosk's at least one processor receives a denial from the
EFT network for the amount of funds: presenting, using said
automated kiosk's at least one processor, said first player an
option for a new credit line; receiving, using said automated
kiosk's at least one processor, input from said first player
seeking said new credit line; receiving, using said automated
kiosk's at least one processor, information from said first player
for use in generating said new credit line; and generating, using
said automated kiosk's at least one processor, said new credit line
having a limit of funds accessible by said first player.
2. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said step of
receiving information from said first player comprises receiving
player identifying information selected from the group consisting
of: social security number, date of birth and address.
3. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said new credit
line comprises a gaming oriented credit card account having a
credit limit.
4. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said credit card
account has a cash advance limit equal to said credit limit.
5. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said at least one
financial account comprises a bank account and said banking card
comprises an ATM card.
6. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the
step of receiving input from said first player regarding a second
amount of funds to access from said new credit line.
7. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the
step of providing information to said first player for accessing
said new credit line.
8. The method in accordance with claim 7 wherein said information
is associated with a paper voucher.
9. The method in accordance with claim 7 wherein said information
is associated with a temporary card.
10. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said new credit
line is issued by a merchant different than a bank associated with
said at least one financial account.
11. The method in accordance with claim 10 wherein said merchant
comprises a casino at which said kiosk is located.
12. A method for funding gaming using an automated kiosk located
proximate to but separate from a gaming machine and having user
communication equipment and in communication with a financial
transaction merchant and, directly or indirectly, a commercial EFT
network and a voucher accounting system that manages casino
vouchers for a plurality of players, said automated kiosk
comprising at least one processor, said method comprising the steps
of: receiving, using said automated kiosk's at least one processor,
a denial from said EFT network of a request to access funds from a
financial account of a first player from among the plurality of
players based upon a request of funds by said first player;
presenting, using said automated kiosk's at least one processor,
said first player an option for a new credit line; receiving, using
said automated kiosk's at least one processor, information from a
player regarding creation of the new credit line associated with a
new card account; issuing, using said automated kiosk's at least
one processor, new card account access information to said first
player; receiving, using said automated kiosk's at least one
processor, information related to a new card account using
equipment associated with the kiosk; formulating, using said
automated kiosk's at least one processor, a request for funds
processable from the financial transaction merchant through a new
card account system based on the information; and issuing, using
said automated kiosk's at least one processor, a voucher to said
first player based upon funds accessed from said new card account
from the kiosk and based on the information received from the
voucher accounting system, the voucher accounting system verifying
that the voucher is to be issued and maintaining real time audit
information for each voucher issued to one of the plurality of
players.
13. The method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said new card
account access information is associated with a paper voucher.
14. The method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said new card
account access information is associated with a temporary card.
15. The method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said new card
account comprises a credit account.
16. The method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said credit
account is issued by a casino at which said kiosk is located.
17. The method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said information
received from said first player comprises information which
identifies said first player.
18. The method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said card
account has a credit limit based upon past EFT transaction values.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to improved method and apparatus for cashless
gaming and more particularly to improved methods and apparatus for
funding and facilitating gaming, including using stand-alone kiosks
and at gaming tables. Preferably the kiosks issue vouchers, slot
vouchers, or a like indicia of gaming credit where "slot vouchers
(which term can broadly cover vouchers or tickets or other types of
receipts for funds or gaming credit indicators) in their basic use
are insertable into (or readable by or scannable by) a slot machine
or gaming machine to fund gaming activity. The vouchers may be
redeemable for cash, gaming credit and/or chips at gaming machines,
at tables, at cages and at automated voucher redemption terminals.
The instant invention relates in part to automated systems (or at
least partially automated systems) for voucher purchase with a
card, new or old, commercial or casino, at a stand-alone kiosk, or
with funds or a card at a gaming table, as well as for the
redemption of vouchers at gaming tables. The invention also relates
to use of casino credit and/or new credit accounts at kiosks, auto
prompts to open a new credit account at kiosks and a facilitation
of debit/credit card cash advance transactions at kiosks. A kiosk
is preferably located proximate to but separate from particular
gaming machines, with the preferred kiosk location being at the end
of a bank of gaming machines. A preferred density for kiosks on a
gaming floor would range from 1 kiosk for 20 to 100 gaming
machines. A card is typically a commercial banking debit and/or
credit card utilizing commercial electronic funds transfer (EFT)
systems. However, receipts, temporary cards or other indicators of
information regarding casino accounts or new credit accounts and/or
new card accounts might be used. Preferably this latter information
can be, at least in part, read or scanned at the kiosk. Preferably
also the invention provides for bar coded or similarly audit
controlled vouchers to be printed. The invention also relates to
gaming oriented lines of credit including a preferred gaming
oriented credit card and account, and an "auto-roll" system to
establish a new gaming oriented line of credit, preferably
associated with a refusal of an EFT transaction request, likely a
refusal of a request for a "credit card cash advance," and the
invention includes gaming patron rewarding based on EFT gaming
oriented transactions and a patron selection coded card.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Introduction
The gaming industry is rife with regulation and scrutiny: state,
federal, and tribal. Fiscal security concerns are extraordinarily
high due to the levels of money changing hands. Moral concerns are
intense. Community groups monitor regulators with an intent to
enforce a sense of social responsibility. Gaining is a political
issue. Commercial efficiency jockeys with social responsibility for
priority. Reluctance to change paralyzes decision making.
In such a context, casino operators nonetheless have migrated
toward what is being called "cashless gaming," including automated
"cashless gaming," in whole or in part. Handling cash is
inefficient, time consuming and costly for a casino. Requiring cash
is inefficient, unsanitary and to a certain extent unsafe for
players, cash being the ultimate bearer instrument.
An early "cashless gaming" system for slot machines taught
providing equipment, integrated into each slot machine, for
inserting a commercial bank card (credit or debit) in order to
directly receive playing credit at the machine. Use of the card at
the machine was to be a convenience for the player, keeping the
player from having to give up his/her seat in order to secure more
funds for play. This system initially anticipated that a player
would cash out winnings and/or remaining playing credit for cash at
the machine. Subsequent proposals included the ability to "cash
out" at a machine for in-house credit and/or for commercial card
account credit.
A second "cashless gaming" system proposed that a commercial bank
(credit/debit) card be inserted into equipment associated with a
particular slot machine and that a "slot voucher" be printed at
that machine in return. The voucher could then be read into that or
any other slot machine, as by via its bill reader, to receive
playing credit. The second system presumed the existence of
machines that read vouchers (as with bill readers) and that
provided playing credit in return. The second system anticipated
cashing out at the machines in terms of vouchers. In fact, newer
slot machines can accept and/or print vouchers in lieu of, or in
addition to, accepting and/or dispensing cash. Thus, a voucher may
be read to yield playing credit as well as printed to redeem
winnings and/or remaining credits at a slot machine. This second
system allowed patrons to directly access commercial bank account
funds at a slot machine via a POS/debit type of transaction.
Both the first and second systems entailed the existence of
accounting, communication and security hardware and software
integrated into the machine.
The second system also envisioned being useable for a variety of
entertainment tickets and that remote standalone kiosks might be
utilized to issue vouchers or tickets.
In many jurisdictions, however, there is no regulatory approval for
using a card at a slot machine. Regulatory approval has been
withheld because it was feared that permitting players to obtain
playing credit directly at a gaming machine by EFT would
unnecessarily encourage compulsive gamblers, (even though there has
been no documentation of this.)
A more common and basic form of "cashless gaming" has also existed.
This system provides for securing cash at ATM devices located from
place to place around a casino floor. The securing of cash may be
followed by a subsequent purchase of a voucher for cash at a
separate kiosk. Unfortunately, ATM machines are expensive to own
and maintain. Dealing in cash as they do, they entail high security
and handling costs. Only a relatively few ATM machines are
justified for a casino floor. ATM machines cost in the order of
$15,000 to $17,000 each, involving all of the expense and security
and servicing concerns associated with handling cash. A 1,000 slot
machine casino, for example, would typically only find it cost
effective to maintain 3 to 4 ATMs on the gaming floor. And the
latter system still involves handling cash, with its inconvenience
and security concerns.
All of the above "cashless gaming" systems have problems. The first
two systems entail what turns out to be the excessive cost of
installing POS/EFT hardware and software on each and every gaming
machine. This hardware and software must satisfy stringent security
standards associated with any equipment that directly interfaces
with slot machines, thereby further increasing the cost of the
hardware software, and regulatory approval. And the equipment ends
up being under-utilized. Most of the time it sits inactive while a
player plays the game. Furthermore, promoting obtaining gaming
funds from commercial card accounts directly at a gaming machine is
viewed by some as exhibiting an insensitivity to a casino's social
responsibility. Although it is not documented, it is perceived to
be beneficial to interpose some interruption in play, such as
requiring a player to at least physically leave a machine to access
funds by EFT, in order to inhibit compulsive gambling.
In regard to the latter system discussed above, however, it is
perceived as irritatingly inconvenient and inefficient, from the
player's standpoint, to require a player to visit a few remote ATM
machines, possibly standing in line. And cash must still be handled
by the player in this system, even if the player subsequently
exchanges the cash for a voucher.
Further, regard to gaming tables there has been little effort to
automate or implement or stream lime cashless gaming.
The instant invention teaches improved systems for "cashless
gaming," improved from the above systems in terms of efficiency
cost and social responsibility. The equipment of the instant
invention is more cost effective because (1) it minimizes dealing
with cash; (2) by being separate from any particular gaming
machine, it avoids having to meet the high security standards set
for hardware and software directly associated with a gaming
machine; (3) by being associated with a plurality of gaming
machines, it is not under-utilized; (4) by making automated use of
casino credit accounts and/or new card accounts, it enhances
versatility in funding gaming; (5) by prompting a patron to open a
new credit account, especially upon receipt of a fund request
refusal, it enhances funding efficiency; (6) by automating, at
least in part, the issuance and redemption of vouchers at gaming
tables, it enhances the efficiency of cashless gaming overall and
of gaming tables, and (7) by facilitating debit/credit card cash
advance transactions, it saves time for the patron and the casino.
The instant invention can be perceived as socially responsible in
that players are not permitted to use a card directly at a gaming
machine or slot machine for securing playing credit. Rather,
securing additional playing credit requires some interruption of
machine game play. The equipment of the instant invention is
efficient. Being sufficiently small and inexpensive, and by not
dealing in cash itself, the apparatus can be cost effectively
located in a plurality of locations, including proximate to banks
of gaming machines and/or at gaming tables. The instant invention
particularly fits a need where social responsibility is still a
high priority, where regulatory changes take a long amount of time
and yet where cost efficiency is a significant high concern.
While existing software products perform ATM/POS/debit and credit
card authorizations on cash dispensing devices such as ATMs, one
aspect of the instant invention includes the development of
POS/debit and credit card software that may be integrated into
voucher dispensing kiosks and gaming table environments which,
while subject to a reliability and accountability standard of a
casino in general, are not subject to the very high scrutiny
imposed upon software directly associated with a slot machine. One
achievement of the instant invention is the cost effective
development of POS/debit and credit and casino credit and new card
credit account hardware and software systems that meet the
appropriate high accountability standards of the gaming regulatory
business and that can be implemented in standalone kiosks and
gaming table environments.
While the ultimate in funds dispensing convenience for slot players
might be an ATM/POS debit terminal that interfaces directly with a
particular gaming machine, deployment of such a product has been a
slow process, inhibited by its inherent disadvantages, discussed
above. Political and regulatory challenges have accompanied
proposed "one-on-one" relationships with a gaming machine, as well
as cost effective concerns. In the instant invention, a cost
effective "proximity" is disclosed as more than balancing the
convenience of a direct one-on-one relationship. The instant end of
bank (EOB) kiosk requires a player to physically step away from a
gaming machine to obtain additional funds electronically. This is a
concept advocated by problem gambling support groups. However, the
distance away is not inconveniently far, and an EOB kiosk can
service a greater percent of players than can slot machine
integrated systems since it need not stand inactive while a game is
being played. Flexibility is enhanced by accommodating casino
credit and new card credit accounts as well as by an auto-roll
system to prompt the opening of such accounts which are essentially
immediately useable, and further by a system to facilitate
debit/credit card cash advance transactions. Uniformity is further
enhanced by providing commensurate equipment and methodology at
gaming tables.
By accommodating casino credit and new card accounts, the instant
invention expands to incorporate reasonable and responsible gaming
fund sources. By accommodating gaming tables with at least in part
automated voucher purchase and redemption possibilities, the
invention further expands the advantages of cashless gaming. By at
least initiating cash advance transactions, the invention furthers
efficiency.
Based on the results of a pilot program, with a voucher issuer
associated with and integrated into particular slot machines, it
appeared clear that people would take advantage of the convenience
of purchasing slot vouchers (or "debit tickets") from a device in
proximity to gaming machines. The pilot results further showed that
"end-cap" locations, especially those in high traffic areas,
processed the highest transaction volumes. The implication is that
slot players, thus, were using such end-cap slot machines with
voucher purchase capability as de facto "ATM's" during low
game-occupancy periods.
The pilot results further showed that during high game-occupancy
periods the voucher terminals were essentially "out-of-service"
while games were being played. This indicates that such one-on-one
equipment is not being cost effectively utilized when attached to
individual machines.
A "debit ticket" or voucher kiosk is viewed, thus, as one optimum
solution. Providing this service in proximity to slot machines
addresses the following challenges and concerns:
a) Casino operator concern about public perception (appearing
predatory);
b) Casino operator concern about regulatory scrutiny (state level,
NIGA);
c) Opposition from problem gambling support groups;
d) Regulator apprehension and concern about public perception;
e) Regulatory scrutiny because of interface to gaming machine;
f) Dependence on game hardware and firmware, adding time and cost
to installation;
g) Capital costs too high to install on 100% of games on most
casino floors.
EOB kiosks make further financial sense because it is not likely
cost effective to install EFT equipment in particular on low
denomination games (or low occupancy multi-denomination games)
given the current cost of game-level hardware. Further,
installation of EFT equipment on particular slots requires access
to the gaming machines to install a radio and antenna. Such
installation requires access to the drop compartment in the slot
base to install the POS terminal mount and route cables to the
radio. Access to these areas requires properly licensed personnel
and the presence of a slot technician and/or security guard. This
creates scheduling challenges and adds time to the installation
process. These issues go away with the EOB Kiosk.
A gaming table oriented voucher printing and redemption system is
further disclosed herein that can expand use of cashless gaming
type vouchers from kiosks and gaming machines to gaming tables, to
facilitate implementing a cashless gaining system for table games.
The instant system allows table gaming patrons the ability to
transfer value (such as from cash, chips, coupons, lines of credit,
etc.) to a preferably coded voucher, such as a bar coded voucher,
that can be redeemed for value at any slot machine, table game,
cage, voucher redemption kiosk, etc., which is equipped with the
necessary components of the system.
System components for gaming tables would preferably include:
Preferably a POS Terminal--the POS terminal may be a traditional
POS device or a PC that controls attached peripherals as well as
acts as a communication device between an operator and voucher
host; A (Preferably Bar) Coded Voucher Reader--Reads a (preferably
bar) code on a voucher and sends scanned information to the POS
terminal; (Preferably Bar) Coded Receipt Printer--Prints voucher
with (preferably bar) code and associated information in the amount
of the value to be loaded to the voucher and preferably also a
receipt for a redeemed voucher; and Voucher Host--Validates, issues
and accounts for all issued, and redeemed vouchers, and sends
transactional data to casino management software. (Note: a voucher
receipt might comprise a cancelled voucher.)
A voucher redemption system for table games would preferably
include the steps of: 1. patron presents system vouchers at gaming
table; 2. a voucher is scanned with a scanner attached to a POS
terminal at the gaming table or residing within the pit by either
the dealer or the pit personnel; 3. scanned voucher information is
communicated to a voucher host for validation of voucher and
voucher amount; 4. voucher host validates incoming voucher
information and amount and returns information for redemption and
redemption amount back to the originating POS terminal; 5. POS
terminal displays and instructs an operator with the amounts to
redeem; and 6. dealer gives the patron who presented the voucher a
validated or authorized amount in chips along with (optionally) a
printed receipt.
A voucher purchase system for gaming tables would preferably
include the steps of: 1. a patron playing at a game table who
wishes to place value onto a voucher via cash, chips, card account,
line of credit, etc. presents the dealer with cash or chips or card
or readable scannable ticket/receipt or account information for
loading of value to a voucher; 2. dealer accepts the combination of
cash and/or chips and/or EFT funds or credit for loading of value
to a voucher; 3. dealer enters the total amount to be loaded to the
voucher on the POS terminal; 4. POS terminal communicates the
amount requested to a voucher host and retrieves
information/barcode to be printed on the voucher; 5. printer prints
the voucher; and 6. dealer hands the voucher to the patron.
To understand a need for a gaining oriented line of credit,
including in particular a gaming oriented credit card and account,
the following discussion of shortfalls of existing EFT cards with
respect to the gaming industry should be appreciated.
Patrons can secure "cash advances" and/or implement "quasi cash
transactions" in casinos using credit cards. (A "POS debit" card
transaction, to be distinguished from an ATM transaction, comprises
an analogous procedure. Both POS debit card transactions and credit
card cash advance transactions may be referred to herein as
credit/debit card cash advance transactions, for convenience.)
Typically, a debit/credit card cash advance transaction utilizes an
automated kiosk and a "cage." A "cage" is a station on a casino
floor providing customer service, in particular in regard to
cashing in or out. At an automated kiosk a patron can request a
credit/debit card cash advance. The request is either approved or
disapproved. The request process usually includes running a credit
or debit card (an EFT card) through what is referred to herein as
an EFT (electronic funds transfer) card reader.
If approved, a patron is typically instructed to proceed to a cage.
Information in regard to the credit/debit card cash advance
transaction is electronically retrieved at the cage. The patron
typically again presents further identifying information along with
the card swiped at the machine. According to a mechanism typically
utilized, a negotiable instrument is printed which the patron signs
over to the casino or to the casino's agent and for which the
patron receives cash (or cash value) in return. (There is also a
process called a PIN based credit/debit card cash advance which
dispenses money at an automated kiosk.)
However, "cash advance" transactions based on credit/debit cards
are not favored and are significantly limited. They are possible
only up to typically low card-issuer-set limits. Since credit card
accounts, in particular, were not created with cash transactions in
mind as primary transactions, the cash transactions, in fact,
and/or as a result, typically have very low cash advance limits,
usually low both in terms of an amount ceiling as well as a
"velocity." ("Velocity" limits the number of times a card owner can
request a cash advance within a given time period, such as 24
hours.) Debit card accounts also typically have relatively low cash
advance limits, in particular when considered with regard to the
size and frequency of an average gaming transaction and the high
convenience value to be placed on efficiently converting
line-of-credit funds into cash in a casino.
The cash advance limit on a credit or debit card account is
typically significantly lower than the line of credit, such as 10%
to 25% of the line of credit. Credit card owners, in particular,
rarely have a need to utilize the ability to secure "cash advances"
based on their accounts outside of casinos Thus, the low ceiling
amount and/or low velocity limit frequently is not learned until,
so to speak, it is too late. Discovering a "low" cash advance
limit, significantly below ones credit limit, for the first time in
a casino when one wants to utilize the line of credit for the
relevant "goods" of "cash" is disheartening. The card owner
indignantly, and probably correctly, believes that his/her credit
history justifies a higher cash advance limit under the
circumstances, and that a significant convenience has been
inappropriately denied him/her. In a casino scenario cash is a
necessary intermediate to securing the relevant goods, or
services.
A study of available facts indicates, in fact, that when the
relevant information is reviewed, in a significant number of cases
a higher cash advance limit and/or a higher velocity limit on a
credit/debit card account would be well within acceptable levels of
risk. The higher limit would be not only reasonable but also
responsible for securing gaming entertainment for that person (as
for instance compared to the cost of competitive forms of
entertainment or competitive uses for dispersible income.)
The instant invention, addresses a need for "gaming oriented" lines
of credit, and in particular a preferred gaming oriented credit
card and account. The invention includes an efficient method for
prompting the opening of a new gaming oriented line of credit and
for providing for essentially immediate use of the line of credit
in proper circumstances. The prompt preferably occurs upon the
discovery of a need, and the system preferably includes taking into
account EFT gaming oriented transaction history. More preferably
the system takes into account a specific patron's own EFT gaming
oriented transaction history, if available. In such a manner an
acceptable, responsible and efficient funding of gaming oriented
transactions, including cash advances from lines of credit, can be
established. Such a system benefits both casinos and patrons.
A capacity to "essentially immediately" effect gaming oriented EFT
transactions, including drawing reasonable and responsible cash
advances, upon the opening of a new gaming oriented line of credit,
given proper circumstances, remedies deficiencies with existing
credit/debit card accounts and especially accommodates the gaming
environment.
A preferred gaming oriented credit card and account is particularly
tailored to fit the gaming environment, taking into account the
needs of casinos, gaining merchants and patrons. (As discussed
above such is not the case with existing credit/debit card
accounts.) A gaming oriented line of credit should have cash
advance limits "commensurate with" credit limits, at least for
gaming oriented transactions. ("Commensurate with" will be taken to
be herein "at least 50% of.") Preferably a cash advance limit is
100% of the available credit line, at least for gaming
transactions. Preferably a gaming oriented cash advance limit and
credit limit would be at least in part determined by taking into
account EFT gaming oriented transactions history, quite possibly a
patron's own history of gaming oriented EFT transactions, to the
extent available. An account issuer would preferably take into
account not only EFT gaming oriented transactions history but also
an evaluation of other criteria that are typically used in
determining credit worthiness, such as credit bureau reports and
FICO. The account issuer would do or complete a credit check as
well as possible, and could issue a credit card even if there is no
previous EFT gaming oriented transactions history available on the
patron. (Arguably, statistical patterns of EFT gaming oriented
transactions could be relied upon. Statistical patterns of CCCA/POS
debit transactions and casino credit transactions may be
available.)
The invention is founded upon the discovery that there are
significant numbers of patrons who are unnecessarily and
unreasonably restricted in casinos by existing historic cash
advance limits and/or velocity limits on their traditional
credit/debit card accounts. Were potentially available facts taken
into account, the limits could reasonably and responsibly and
safely be set higher. The invention proposes a variety of means,
including particularly preferred means, for accomplishing this
objective.
A gaming oriented cash advance or other transaction from a new
gaming oriented line of credit should be made available, under
appropriate circumstances, within at least an hour of completing a
line of credit opening transaction, and preferably within ten
minutes or less. A permanent gaming oriented credit card, when
issued, should be processable through EFT financial transaction
terminals and EFT financial transaction networks.
The invention discloses methodology for efficiently opening new
gaming oriented lines of credit, including a credit card account,
and for deriving essentially immediate cash advances or other value
therefrom in appropriate circumstances. In particular, being
refused a desired cash advance or other EFT transaction based upon
an existing card account in a casino is a preferred triggering
event for a prompt to open such a new gaming oriented line of
credit.
The methodology of the instant invention makes use of diverse
pre-existing capabilities, such as a capacity for using an
automated station on a casino floor for initiating a request for a
cash advance based on an existing credit/debit card account, for
automatedly prompting a patron to open a new line of credit and for
using that same automated station for initiating an application for
a new line of credit and/or credit card account. The same automated
station can be a basis and for using, essentially immediately, a
new line of credit and/or credit card account for reasonable cash
advances, in appropriate circumstances. An appropriate circumstance
is, in particular, when an account issuer or co-issuer is a
Merchant or master merchant of the new transaction.
Alternate embodiments for utilizing a new gaming oriented line of
credit could include a more complex procedure of funding a "prepaid
card" account with a new line of credit by the new account issuer,
and/or a procedure of indemnifying or guaranteeing a transaction on
an existing card account by a new account issuer from a newly
established line of credit. Such systems could provide for the
essentially immediate use of the prepaid card or newly indemnified
card for gaming oriented transactions, including securing cash,
under appropriate conditions. (A prepaid card or an existing card,
secured directly or indirectly by a new line of credit, should be
understood to be included in the term "credit" card herein.)
The invention further addresses uses for a card that is patron
selection coded, in addition, for rewarding purposes. Given
information in regard to a card owner's preferences, defined by a
card owner's selection of a type of card, including color, etc., a
more targeted rewarding program could be effected. Casinos
frequently attempt to reward credit cards users with benefits, such
as golf time or spa time. Casinos give loyalty points usually on
co-branded credit cards, and track the points given/redeemed via
some type of player tracking system. Essentially the casinos give
points to reward loyalty and to build loyalty. Existing co-branded
cards do not build a great deal of loyalty, however, at least to
date. The instant invention teaches redeeming loyalty points for
cash in a casino and more specifically at an automated device, as
well as for traditional casino good and services. A further
improvement teaches a patron selection of a coded card, improving
the effectiveness of the rewarding system. The patron selection
coded card, such as a selection of color, design, or other optional
features, should better target rewarding, matching rewards to
likely preferences.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention discloses an automated kiosk, preferably for
issuing gaming vouchers, and the like upon an authorization of
funding, including funding by a casino credit or new EFT card
credit account. A standalone kiosk is disclosed structured and
sized to be located proximate to a plurality of gaming machines but
independent of any particular machine. A density of 1 kiosk to 20
to 100 gaming machines is preferred. An automated patron
interactive stand-alone kiosk would preferably include, to maximize
versatility, a POS terminal with a card swipe reader, a screen, a
key pad, a voucher printer or issuer and a ticket/receipt/temporary
card/permanent card reader/scanner for transmitting information
associated with a casino credit account and/or a new card account.
The stand-alone kiosk may or may not include wireless technology.
Means to communicate both with commercial EFT card networks and
with an in-house or quasi in-house gaining accounting system is
provided, including as well with a casino credit accounting system
and/or a new card account accounting system.
In operation, patrons would preferably swipe a card or have a
receipt/ticket/temporary card/permanent card read, and/or enter
account identifying information, likely enter a Personal
Identification Number, request an amount, agree to any additional
fees that may be charged and optionally request or decline a
receipt for the transaction. The request preferably would be
forwarded to a financial transaction merchant and/or processor
(which could be one or more entities) (which could sometimes be
referred to as a server) who would submit the transaction packet to
be forwarded to commercial banking and card association networks
(who may submit the request to an issuing bank or their agent for
approval) or to a casino credit accounting system or to a new card
accounting system, for approval and accounting.
If a transaction is denied, preferably a patron would be prompted
or queried about opening a new credit account, which could be a
casino credit account and/or a new credit card account. Preferably
either account would be essentially immediately useable.
If approved, the authorized transaction would be preferably also
submitted to a merchant connected to a casino's voucher management
system and/or database. The voucher management system and/or
database would (preferably) interpret the approval message,
validate the transaction in-house and create a voucher record with
a unique identification that includes the amount. The voucher
system and/or database then would message a merchant that the
voucher record has been created, whereby the merchant would send a
message of approval to the stand-alone kiosk and cause a voucher
printing device to print a voucher, and a receipt if requested.
Both the processor system and the voucher management system would
preferably retain audit trails and reporting features to reconcile
and balance activity.
As discussed above, the system may automatically query a patron
whether the patron would like to open a new account, such as a new
casino credit account and/or a new credit card account, whether not
a transaction is denied. The system might query a patron whether
they would like to open such a new account at the beginning of a
transaction.
Preferred embodiments of the improved kiosk of the instant
invention include structure for issuing slot vouchers in return for
casino credit or credit from a newly opened credit card account.
Preferred embodiments also include structure in an automated kiosk
located on a gaming floor, proximate to but separate from gaming
machines, for prompting a patron as to whether they would like to
open a new gaming oriented account. Preferably the patron query in
regard to a new account occurs subsequent to a failure to receive
approval for a request based on an existing commercial EFT
account.
When it is stated that an automated kiosk is located on a gaming
floor proximate to but separate from gaming machines, it is
intended to indicate that the kiosk is not physically or
electronically integrated into any one gaming machine. That is, use
of the kiosk does not tie up use of a gaming machine and play on
the gaming machine does not tie up the automated kiosk. Also, since
the automated kiosk is electronically separate from the gaining
machines, it is not subject to the stringent regulatory and
security requirements associated with electronics integrated into
gaming machines.
A financial transaction processor is preferably a third party
processor (which could include a group of processors) that
processes EFT transactions for a variety of casinos, including a
variety of separately owned casinos, separate from the commercial
EFT network. A financial transaction processor is not one of the
commercial EFT networks dedicated to a particular card system. The
financial transaction processor is also preferably physically
separate from the gaming machine or casino voucher accounting
system. Again, such separation avoids having to meet all of the
stringent security regulations and requirements associated with
setting up, approving, monitoring and repairing electronic systems
integrated into gaming machines and/or their accounting
systems.
A financial transaction merchant is a third party that stands in
the shoes of a merchant or functions as a merchant for EFT gaming
transactions, likely for a variety of separately owned casinos. The
financial transaction merchant may maintain, underwrite and/or
support a casino credit account and system and/or a new commercial
credit card account and system. The financial transaction merchant
could also be the, or a, financial transaction processor, or a
brother/sister or related entity to the, or a, financial
transaction processor. A financial transaction merchant might
co-brand a credit card account. A financial transaction merchant
may be the provider of the kiosk and the merchant used in the
system. The financial transaction merchant may control a cashless
gateway.
Common examples of user communication equipment comprise keypads
and display panels. A card reader and ticket/receipt/temporary card
reader/scanner could be considered user communication
equipment.
A casino credit accounting system would be a system that keeps
track of casino patron credit accounts. It would include a system
of billing and collection for the accounts, which might, of course,
be out-sourced. The risk of maintaining the accounts might be
mediated through means of insurance and/or indemnification. A new
card accounting system would include a system to permit essentially
immediate use of a new credit card account. The new and/or
essentially immediate use might be restricted to appropriate
circumstances wherein involving the financial transaction merchant
and/or the casino fulfilled certain functions. The use might be
limited to certain facilities. Presumably when an official card
issues for a co-branded merchant/EFT provider account, the
accounting system would shift to the standard EFT commercial credit
card accounting system.
A casino credit accounting system could be maintained by a
financial transaction merchant or be separate therefrom. Likely a
third party financial transaction merchant would offer to maintain
such a casino credit accounting system. However, various casinos
for a variety reasons might prefer to maintain their own
systems.
A new card accounting system would likely be maintained by a
financial transaction merchant, who likely has agreed to bear at
least a portion of the risk of such new account. A financial
transaction merchant might be a primary party that makes available,
together with a commercial EFT system, a new gaming oriented credit
card and account. Further, a financial transaction merchant might
well make immediately available to a patron, at least within the
system served by the financial transaction merchant, essentially
immediate use a new card account, prior to receiving the
traditional plastic card in the mail which takes a week to ten days
after opening an account. Such immediate use under appropriate
conditions would be analogous to the use made available by
merchants who co-sponsor new credit card accounts opened in their
store. Such merchants are known to allow a patron to open a new
co-sponsored merchant and commercial EFT account and to use that
account immediately within the merchant's system, prior to
receiving a plastic card in the mail.
Preferably an automated kiosk of the improved system would come
equipped with a reader for a ticket and/or receipt and/or temporary
card and/or permanent card that might be associated with a casino
credit account and/or a new card account. Alternately, of course,
the owner of a casino credit account or a new credit account could
enter all of the necessary information for using the account into
user communication equipment provided by an automated kiosk or POS
terminal.
Preferably an automated kiosk on a gaming floor located proximate
to but separate from gaming machines would be located at the end of
a bank of gaming machines and would have a density with respect to
gaining machines of about one kiosk to 20 to 100 gaming machines.
Sometimes a casino credit account is represented by card. At other
times a casino credit account may be represented, at least in part,
by information that the user can submit. Thirdly, a casino credit
account might be represented by a ticket or a receipt or a
temporary card that is machine readable or scannable.
Likewise, a new card account, most typically a credit card account,
might be associated with a machine readable ticket or receipt or
temporary card. However, as with the casino credit account, a new
card account might be associated with information that would have
to be supplied by a user to identify the account.
A new card account is most likely a credit card account. However,
it could be that a new line of credit actually funds a new debit
account and card. Such card would appear to be a debit card, or
possibly a pre-paid card, although if the transaction were
collapsed, in reality the card and account should be deemed a
credit card and account. As has been discussed, since debit
accounts can carry a line of credit, the distinctions between debit
accounts and credit accounts are blurred.
The invention includes a redemption system and a voucher printing
system oriented for table games. In one preferred embodiment of a
redemption system, a voucher scanner/reader (there is no intent to
make any particular distinction between scanning and/or reading an
item such as a voucher) and a voucher receipt printer (which could
be a voucher canceling system) are associated with a POS terminal
at a gaming table. The POS terminal is in communication with a
voucher host which is structured to validate a voucher and a
voucher amount. (The intent of validation is to protect and check
against fraud via counterfeit vouchers or forged amounts.) The POS
terminal is structured to display a redemption amount received from
the voucher host. The POS terminal, structured together with a
voucher receipt printer, can optionally print a voucher receipt. A
table issues the redemption amount, in cash or chips or gaming
credit.
A voucher issuing system oriented for gaming tables comprises, in a
preferred embodiment, a POS terminal having user communication
equipment and a voucher printer. The POS terminal is structured to
receive amount information and to communicate the received amount
information to a voucher host. The POS terminal is further
structured to receive voucher issuing information from the voucher
host and as structured together with a voucher printer, to print a
voucher related to the received information.
A cashless gaming system for table games also preferably includes a
fund entry device, a voucher printer, a voucher reader scanner and
a voucher receipt printer, all located at a gaming table and in
communication, directly or indirectly, with a voucher host. The
host accounts for issued and redeemed vouchers. A preferred
embodiment of the invention comprises entering an amount into a
fund entry device at a table, communicating the amount to a voucher
host, receiving information to be printed on a voucher at the table
and printing a voucher with the information at the table. A
preferred method for providing voucher redemption at table games
includes scanning a voucher at a table, communicating voucher
information to a voucher host for validation, receiving redemption
information relating to the voucher at the table, instructing the
issuing of funds corresponding to the voucher amount at the table
and optionally issuing a receipt for the voucher at the table.
Again, a receipt could be any of various items, including a
cancelled voucher.
The invention also includes facilitating a cash advance approval at
the kiosk.
The invention includes a preferred gaming oriented credit card
account. The account is associated with a credit card processable
through EFT financial transaction terminals and EFT financial
transaction networks at a variety of merchants. The phrase "EFT
financial transaction terminals" is intended to indicate
commercially available terminals for processing commercial EFT
(electronic funds transfer) transactions, such as credit cards
and/or debit cards from a variety of issuers. The phrase "EFT
financial transaction networks" is intended to cover credit card
and/or debit card commercial financial transaction processing
networks. (The phrase could include electronic check clearing
networks and stored value card networks and even special purpose
prepaid card networks.)
It should be noted, as discussed above, that distinctions between
credit cards and debit cards are becoming blurred, with credit
accounts affording "cash advances" and debit accounts being secured
by "lines of credit." A debit card funded by a line of credit
should be considered a credit card herein.
The credit card associated with the credit account of a preferred
embodiment of the instant invention is intended to be useable as a
general purpose credit card at a variety of merchants, like a Visa
Card and/or Master Card and/or Discover Card and the like. The card
will most likely be co-sponsored by one of the commercial card
service providers and have, for instance, a Master Card bug on it.
In such circumstances it would only be accepted at merchant
locations that accept Master Card. The class of merchants that
subscribe to the use of the card is envisioned to include more than
just casinos and/or more than just one merchant, such as, for
instance any merchant who accepts Master Card. However, this card
is a gaming oriented card and account and may have different lines
of credit and/or cash advance limits for non-gaming oriented
transactions than it has for gaming oriented transactions.
It is specifically envisioned in a preferred embodiment that the
account issuer or co-issuer may be identified as the merchant in
EFT transactions in a casino. While a casino might be regarded as
the technical merchant, an agent EFT merchant for a variety of
casinos is well positioned to acquire EFT gaming oriented
transaction history.
A preferred gaming oriented credit card account should have a cash
advance limit "commensurate with" its credit limit, at least for
gaming oriented transactions. The phrase "commensurate with" should
be understood to mean herein "at least 50% of" In preferred
embodiments it is envisioned that the cash advance limit would
essentially be the same as the credit limit, at least for gaming
oriented transactions. However, one should not be allowed to escape
the scope of the invention by setting a false or sham or arbitrary
or non-traditional "credit limit" above the cash advance limit. For
this reason "commensurate with" is defined as "at least 50% of."
Furthermore, the "credit limit" referred to is intended to indicate
a realistic, meaningful, standard, responsible credit limit, not
some credit limit set up arbitrarily to avoid the scope of a
patent.
A further feature of a preferred gaming oriented credit card
account is that the credit card account should make available
transactions, preferably cash transactions, in appropriate
circumstances within at least an hour of completing an account
opening transaction. Preferably appropriate circumstances are when
the account issuer (term includes co-issuer) is also identified as
a "merchant" of the transaction. There is an analogy here with
other co-sponsored credit cards. Credit cards co-sponsored between
a merchant and a card system provider such as Master Card or Visa
are known wherein immediately after completing an account opening
transaction the new account owner is allowed to make charges on the
account in the establishment of the merchant that co-sponsors the
card.
In the instant case where the term account issuer is used, the term
is intended to be understood to include a casino as well as an
agent of the casino, who may be a merchant for EFT transactions in
the casino (as well as other casinos, most likely.) The casino
could be its own account issuer. The casino could also be a
co-issuer, together with an agent EFT merchant and/or a card
service provider.
In preferred embodiments a cash advance limit and/or credit limit,
at least for gaming oriented transactions, would be based at least
in part on a history of EFT gaming transactions. Statistical
histories of EFT gaming transactions could be utilized. Preferably
a history of EFT gaming relating transactions of the patron account
owner would also be utilized, at least in part, to the extent
available. Again, a merchant for EFT transactions for a multitude
of casinos is in position to collect and or access such a history
of gaming, both personal and statistical. Such merchants may have
access to patron CCCA, POS Debit, ATM, Check Cashing, and Casino
Credit Line history. A risk scoring model might evaluate all these
factors, among others.
It is most preferable that an account transaction including a cash
advance transaction, is available within at least ten minutes of
completing a gaming oriented account or line of credit opening
transaction.
Preferably an account card, after it arrives in the mail, would
carry an indicia of patron selection. Preferably the indicia of
patron selection would be machine readable as well as visible.
Preferably rewards awarded to an account owner, typically based
upon use of the card at a casino or in gaming, would be based at
least in part on the patron selection, to better target the
rewarding.
It is envisioned that a gaming oriented account would also be
associated with a PIN (Personal Identification Number.)
The invention also includes a preferred method for enhanced patron
funding comprising opening a credit card account and associating
with the account a credit card processable through EFT financial
transaction terminals and EFT financial transaction networks for a
variety of merchants, as discussed above. The method would include
associating a cash advance limit with the account commensurate with
an account credit limit, at least for gaming oriented transactions.
The invention would further include making available an account
transaction, including a cash advance transaction, to a patron
within at least an hour of completing an account opening
transaction under appropriate circumstances. The circumstances
could include the account issuer (or co-issuer) being a merchant
with respect to the transaction. (It may be that the new card can
be used for CCCA transactions only on account issuer machines.) The
system or method also preferably includes setting a cash advance
limit based at least in part on a history of EFT gaming
transactions. Most preferably the system or method includes making
available a transaction, including a cash advance transaction,
within at least ten minutes of completing an account opening
transaction. Further preferably the account is associated with a
PIN, the card includes an indicia of patron selection and rewards
are awarded to an account owner based in at least in part on card
use and the indicia of patron selection. Use of the card can accrue
"points" and point redemption for cash at a cage or at any account
issuer operated cash dispensing machine could be provided.
The instant invention also includes a preferred method for enhanced
patron funding in a casino comprising receiving a denial of a
request for an EFT card transaction by a patron at a casino,
preferably at an automated station, and providing a (preferably
automated) prompt (preferably at the station) as to whether a
patron would like to apply for a new line of credit, useable within
at least one hour of completing the application. An automated
station could be an automated kiosk or an ATM. Preferably, but not
necessarily, the prompt would be provided subsequent to receiving
the denial. The instant method for enhanced patron funding would
preferably include securing credit related information from the
patron at an automated station and utilizing patron EFT gaming
transaction history for approving the new line of credit. The
approval process would likely be completed at a cage. A preferred
method would further include approving an application for a new
line of credit and providing a cash advance from the new line of
credit within at least an hour of the approval, preferably within
at least ten minutes from the approval. The line of credit could be
a casino line of credit. Preferably the line of credit would be
represented by a credit card account. (Preferably the account would
be a new account, but it is conceivable that an existing account
could be indemnified or guaranteed, which would be a form of a new
line of credit. It is also conceivable that a new line of credit
could fund a prepaid card account.)
A further aspect of the instant invention includes a system for
enhanced patron funding in a casino comprising providing a casino
patron an opportunity to initiate an application for a new line of
credit at an automated station in a casino, including an
opportunity to submit patron information and, within at least an
hour of approval of a new line of credit for the patron, providing
the patron funds (cash or cash equivalent) in the casino based on
the new line of credit. Likely the approved process would be
completed at a cage. Preferably this preferred embodiment includes
an account issuer who is identified as a merchant associated with
the transaction for the funds. Again, preferably the approved new
line of credit would include a cash advance limit based on EFT
gaming transaction history.
Finally, the instant invention optionally includes an EFT card
processable through EFT financial transaction terminals including
an indicia of owner selection, coded in machine readable form
and/or visibly coded. The patron selection and/or coding can be an
indicia of gender.
Notes: A debit card, an ATM card, a credit card, even a check card
and/or a prepaid card, may be referred to herein as an "EFT card."
A transaction using such card, for either goods/services and/or
cash, could be referred to as an EFT transaction. Using such card
usually implicates an EFT card reader and an EFT financial
transaction network and involves a merchant. Frequently, using such
card also implicates a PIN.
In the electronic funds transfer or EFT world, as the term is
broadly used herein, historic distinctions are becoming blurred.
These distinctions are mentioned here but no particular weight
should be placed upon them, per se, anticipating that the
distinctions are becoming increasingly blurred with time. Several
historically different types of EFT card transactions could be
identified: an ATM transaction; a POS debit transaction; a POS
credit transaction; a credit card cash advance (CCCA) transaction;
a paperless check transaction; a prepaid card transaction; a stored
value card transaction. Of these transactions, historically, the
POS credit and credit card cash advance transactions are regarded
as credit transactions. However, bank accounts can be associated
with lines of credit and credit cards can produce a "cash advance,"
so what appears to be a "debit" transaction may actually be a
"credit" transaction, and vice versa. The distinctions are becoming
unimportant. Further, of the distinctions mentioned above, the pure
ATM transaction at an automated teller, historically a specific
transaction for cash, is becoming less significant. And further,
while a debit, credit, stored value, pre-paid and check card have
historically been used in transactions for goods and services, use
of all cards for cash transactions is rising in importance.
An automated EFT station should have at least user communication
equipment, card reader equipment and dispenser equipment for at
least cash or cash equivalents, such as vouchers. An automated EFT
station would be in communication, directly or indirectly, with
commercial EFT networks.
An "account issuer" for a line of credit would at least be a
co-sponsor of an account.
An agent EFT merchant assumes the role of "merchant," usually for a
variety of merchants, for EFT transactions.
One aspect of the instant invention involves prompting a patron to
establish a gaming oriented line of credit, the prompting
preferably taking place at an automated EFT station on a gaining
floor. The process of opening a gaming oriented line of credit may
be able to be initiated at the automated station. Preferably the
process could proceed at the automated EFT station up to a
pre-approval stage. The process would then preferably be completed
at a cage. Preferably also an automated EFT station would prompt a
user as to whether they might wish to open a gaming oriented line
of credit, based upon the denial of approval of an EFT transaction,
especially a credit/debit card cash advance transaction.
A preferred embodiment of a gaming oriented line of credit is
represented by a gaming oriented credit card and account. The
gaming oriented credit card and account would have a card
processable by commercial EFT card readers and over commercial EFT
networks. The cash advance limit of a gaming oriented credit card
and account should be commensurate with the line of credit, at
least for gaming oriented transactions. At least limited use in
appropriate circumstances should be provided immediately (within 60
minutes or less) upon the completion of the opening and approval
process for a gaming oriented credit card and account. The at least
limited immediate use should preferably include use for gaming
where the account issuer or co-issuer is the merchant or master
merchant of the use transaction.
(A conceivable means to implement a gaming oriented line of credit
would be to insure, guarantee, indemnify or stand behind a
transaction either after the transaction had been refused by the
card issuer and/or networks or even before a request had been
approved or disapproved. Such a process would likely require
agreement and consent between three parties, the gaming patron, the
account issuer of the new line of credit providing the indemnity
and the existing card issuer. In EFT card processing systems the
account issuer typically bears the risk of the loss in a "card
presented" transaction. The risk of loss from a "card not
presented" transaction typically shifts from the account issuer to
the merchant. In the gaming scenario a request for cash beyond an
existing account cash limit could be treated like a "card not
presented" transaction in that the risk of loss could shift to a
merchant. The merchant and new account sponsor presumably would
have access to data that could define and estimate the risks
involved in each transaction with precision, accuracy and detail in
order to support an indemnity system.)
A further conceivable embodiment of a gaming oriented line of
credit could utilize strategies and methodologies associated with
"pre-paid cards." It is known to be able to "load" a prepaid card
account and essentially immediately use the card, at least for
special purposes. I.e., it is known that an owner of a prepaid cell
phone card can deposit money, through unrelated participating
merchants, and have the funds essentially immediately credited to
his/her prepaid phone card account, and the owner can then
essentially immediately use the cell phone based upon the deposit
just made. Although the pre-paid account owner likely has a "card,"
typically neither use of the cell phone nor actually making the
deposit is dependent upon possession of the card. The cell phone
provider maintains the pre-paid account electronically. The cell
phone provider can recognize that the account has been loaded by a
variety of electronic means and accords the owner essentially
immediate use of the phone based upon the recognition of the
deposit. A gaming patron that opens a new gaming oriented line of
credit could essentially be deemed to have opened a pre-paid card
account "funded" by the line of credit.
Upon opening of a new line of credit a patron could be given a
paper voucher/receipt/ticket/temporary card with identifying
numbers. Perhaps a bar coded ticket that is scannable would be
produced. The patron could take the information to a
reader/scanner, or a cage, and receive cash (or cash equivalent,
which could be slot vouchers, cashless gaming vouchers, playing
credit, chips or the like.) The account would be maintained by the
account issuers, which could be any combination of the casino,
casino's agent, and/or a financial transaction processor. As a
mechanism, an account issuer could electronically deposit funds
from a line of credit into a prepaid card account.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained
when the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments are considered in conjunction with the following
drawings, in which:
FIGS. 1A-3C illustrate embodiments of a stand-alone automated
interactive kiosk according to preferred embodiments of the instant
invention, situated or structured and designed to be located end of
bank (EOB.)
FIGS. 4A-C illustrate two sides of a preferred embodiment of a
voucher, as well as a receipt.
FIG. 4D illustrates a transaction flow deployed in a field trial of
the system.
FIGS. 5A,B-19A,B illustrate optional preferred embodiments for
transaction flows for the inventive system.
FIG. 20 A-C illustrate topologies for an end of bank kiosk and
supporting systems.
FIG. 20 D illustrates one option for a merchant level
implementation.
FIGS. 21-23 illustrate three transaction flow options for preferred
embodiments of the system, including GCA System that communicates
with a new card/casino card system. The GCA system may well
encompass a financial transaction merchant and a cashless
gateway.
FIG. 24 illustrate apparatus and steps for the instant invention at
table games.
FIG. 25 illustrates steps of an embodiment for an auto-roll to
establish a new credit line, including a new gaming oriented credit
card and a casino line of credit.
FIGS. 26A, B, C and D illustrate embodiments of coded credit cards
for patron selection.
The drawings are primarily illustrative. It would be understood
that structure may have been simplified and details omitted in
order to convey certain aspects of the invention. Scale may be
sacrificed to clarity.
A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained
when the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments are considered in conjunction with the following
drawings, in which:
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The term voucher or "slot voucher" should be understood to
comprehend and include tickets, scripts, coupons, receipts, drafts
or other printed medium usable to secure cash or credit or goods or
services in a casino. In general, embodiments of the instant
invention permit the purchase of a gaming machine voucher
(typically called a "slot voucher") using equipment proximate to
but not integrated into a particular gaming device. The voucher is
purchased through funding via a banking card association network
and/or stored value account and/or casino credit account or new
card account. Authorization for the funding causes a bar coded or
similar audit controlled voucher to be printed or issued. The
voucher can be inserted into a slot bill validator, for instance,
or a similar device for reading vouchers, to fund gaming activity.
The voucher can also be exchanged for cash at a self-serve
redemption kiosk or at a cashier window. The system can to include
vouchers that may be used to fund activity for table games as
well.
The instant invention discloses a process to enable the printing of
gaming device vouchers (bar-coded tickets) at stand-alone kiosks
and gaming tables based upon electronic funds transfer (EFT) or
similar fund approval from casino or new accounts. Transaction
options include the use of debit cards, ATM cards, a credit cards,
stored value cards and cards or receipts or information relating to
casinos or new accounts. Compact kiosks for any purpose are
preferably locatable at the end of banks (EOB) of slot machines,
such as at the end of a bank of 40 machines, to maximize
convenience to casino patrons. Kiosk to gaming machine density is
preferably 1 kiosk to 20 to 100 gaming machines.
An automated interactive kiosk preferably includes a PIN pad (for
Personal Identification Number entry), a card reader that supports
magnetic stripe cards and smart cards, a ticket/receipt/temporary
card/permanent card reader/scanner and a display, as well as a
voucher printer and a receipt printer. Communication means are
required for the EFT networks, for the casino voucher accounting
system, and for a casino account accounting system and/or new card
accounting system.
FIGS. 1A-3D illustrate physical embodiments of preferred apparatus
for the purchase of slot vouchers with electronic funds. The
apparatus is referred to as a stand-alone automated interactive
kiosk, illustrated as kiosk K in FIGS. 1A-3C. It can be seen that
kiosk K is illustrated as being locatable at the end of a bank
(EOB) of slot machines S. A patron or a player P is illustrated
operating the kiosk K in FIGS. 2 and 3A. Typically, as per FIG. 3B,
a kiosk would include an EFT card reader CR, user interactive
communication equipment, such as a PIN-pad KP and a display D,
voucher issuing equipment TP Reader Scanner RS. Typically, as per
FIG. 3B, the voucher issuing equipment TP would print a voucher V
in accordance with authorized printing instructions. FIG. 3B also
illustrates kiosk hardware components, RF client radio CR and patch
antenna PA, as well as display D, keypad KP, card reader CR,
processor P and ticket printer TP. FIG. 3C illustrates alternate
kiosk hardware components including client antenna CA, touch screen
display TSD, card reader CR, PIN pad PP, receipt reader scanner RS,
ticket printer TP, client radio CRA and processor P. Thus, FIGS. 1A
to 3C illustrate preferred designs for a compact kiosk K that will
dispense debit tickets V via PIN-based EFT transactions. The kiosk
design is preferably small enough to be installed at the end of a
bank of slot machines, maximizing convenience to casino patrons. A
sleek, compact design and a secure, stable installation are
preferred features of the kiosk design for this implementation.
The kiosk preferably generates bar-coded vouchers similar to a
debit ticket, with front side VF and rearside VR, as shown in FIGS.
4A and 4B, which voucher can be inserted into a bill acceptor of a
slot machine to fund gaming activity or can be redeemed for cash at
a casino cage or cashier booth or redemption kiosk. The kiosk
preferably offers patrons optional receipts similar to the receipt
R shown in FIG. 4C.
The kiosk includes means for communicating with an electronic funds
transfer system as well as means for communicating with an in-house
voucher accounting system. Means for, communicating with an
electronic funds transfer system would preferably include
communicating through an EFT financial processor. Means for
communicating with a voucher accounting system would preferably
include means for verifying a voucher that is to be issued. That
is, the voucher issuing process preferably receives verification
from a voucher accounting system.
As illustrated in FIG. 4D, preferably a financial transaction
merchant, represented by servers, will be involved, together with
means for communicating with an existing casino credit account
and/or a new credit card accounting system, not shown. Preferably
also the kiosk includes a reader/scanner for
receipts/voucher/temporary cards.
Receipt issuing equipment is preferably associated with the kiosk.
Preferably a patron has an option of receiving or not receiving a
receipt for a transaction. An option may be provided for a patron
to self-select a personal daily limit for receiving funds from the
card for gaining.
In preferred methodology, as illustrated in FIG. 4D, a patron
swipes or inserts a debit or ATM card at a kiosk. The patron enters
a PIN, such as by using a PIN-pad, and an amount. The patron
confirms the surcharge that will be charged to the patron's account
and requests or declines a receipt.
In a second step a message is preferably sent via rf (wireless) or
cable connection to a financial processor and its system. A
financial processor sends or forwards the request, properly
formatted, to an appropriate banking network for a debit withdrawal
authorization. The banking network approves (or disapproves) the
debit withdrawal transaction and communicates the message back to
the financial processor system.
Presuming an approval of the debit withdrawal, the financial
processor system sends a voucher request message to a voucher
accounting a system, referred to as a TITO system. The voucher
accounting system responds to the financial processor with a
voucher authorization message, preferably including appropriate
validation data. The financial processor forwards the voucher
authorization message to the kiosk. The kiosk prints a bar coded
voucher in the amount of the debit withdrawal request.
Subsequently, the patron can redeem the voucher for cash at a
casino cage or a cashier booth, or insert it into a bill acceptor
of a properly equipped gaming machine. In an alternate embodiment,
the voucher accounting system communicates directly with the kiosk.
This permits the voucher accounting system to verify printer
status. Such communication means would likely include rf or cable
connection. The voucher accounting system can than confirm to the
financial processor that the printer is on line and ready. In such
embodiments the voucher accounting system can send a message
directly to a voucher printer at the kiosk to print a bar coded
voucher in the amount of the debit withdrawal request.
To say that a kiosk is located on a gaming floor separate from a
particular gaming machine means that the kiosk is not integrally
connected with a particular gaming machine, by hardware and
software. The kiosk is not integrated into that gaming machine. A
stand-alone kiosk could be set up adjacent to and/or touching
and/or physically supported by a gaming machine, and is preferably
located at the end of a bank of slot machines. The kiosk is
separate, however, from any particular gaming machine in that it
has no integration with that particular gaming machine and its
electronics. Said otherwise, simultaneous use of the kiosk and any
particular gaming machine by different patrons should be
possible.
Key terms for understanding the embodiments of FIGS. 5 to 23 are as
follows: GE (gaming environment merchant)--the GE server is a
front-end communications server that funnels all communications
upstream with the Cashless Gateway and downstream to the TITO
server. In addition to messaging switching functions, it has
application logic for error handling and logging. There is no
persistent or critical application data stored in this server. CG
(cashless gateway)--the CG serves as the communications nexus and
provides the application intelligence to synchronize transactions
across components and reliably record transactions and enforce
security. This component interfaces to all Gaming Environment
servers, the Database, and the banking networks via USAP. The CG
performs the function of a financial transaction processor. A CG is
a gateway for cashless access. ESS and ECS--An alternate embodiment
can represent the functionality of the communications server, the
gaming environment merchant and the cashless gateway in terms of
servers, a slot system server and a central server. ESS refers to
the EDITH slot system server. ECS refers to the EDITH Central
Server. Both the ESS server and ECS server can funnel
communications with the slot system with the slot ticket system
and/or the ticket in ticket out slot system. The TITO system or
ticket in ticket out system could of course refer to and service
other voucher or ticket systems than those related to slot
machines. Private Label Network--for the convenience of processing,
private label networks might be distinguished from banking
networks. Private label networks may have slightly different
processing features. However, in general private label networks are
usually considered part and parcel of the banking card networks.
TITO System--generic reference to ticket-in/ticket-out systems. The
ticket database resides on the TITO system server and is maintained
by casino personnel. Thick Client--in a client/server architecture
a thick client performs the bulk of the data processing operations.
The data itself is stored on the server. For purposes of this
document, thick client refers to a PC or POS terminal at the kiosk
that contains the application software and has relatively strong
processing capability. Thin Client--in client/server applications a
thin client is designed to be especially small so that the bulk of
the data processing occurs on the server. For purposes of this
document, thin client refers to a low cost processing solution at
the kiosk whereby screen images and prompts are resident on the
client and application software resides on the server. Zero
Client--in client/server applications the zero client is the lowest
cost approach at the client level whereby all data processing
occurs at the server. For purposes of this document, this solution
has been included in order to illustrate all design options. This
is not the initially preferred option. Visa PED
Certification--device approval process mandated by Visa
International. It deals with the physical security of POS terminals
(i.e. tamper-proof) and security procedures for how encryption keys
are stored, transported and injected. EMV Certified--Acronym for
Europay, Mastercard, Visa organization. This certification deals
with worldwide standards at the firmware and circuit board level
and how devices must function and inter-operate with one another.
"Delivery of Funds"--this expression is used in this document to
conceptually describe the messaging that takes place between a
server and the kiosk/printer. In some design options the TITO
server tells the kiosk/printer to generate a ticket, in other
design options the GE server tells the kiosk/printer to generate a
ticket. In reality, this communication involves a message
containing ticket data directing the kiosk/printer to generate a
debit ticket.
(In regard to the actual `funds,` it should be understood that
although a patron's bank account is debited in real time, a casino
essentially "fronts" the funds to the player in the form of a
cashable debit ticket because the casino is not reimbursed until
two business days later by the banking networks.)
The instant invention discloses original preferred apparatus and
process to enable the printing of gaming device vouchers (bar-coded
tickets referred to as debit tickets or slot vouchers) at
stand-alone kiosks based upon electronic funds transfers (EFT).
Although initially a kiosk will dispense slot vouchers through the
use of debit cards, ATM cards, credit cards, and stored value
cards, software "hooks" can be built into a unit for future support
of promotional tickets and self-serve comp slip creation (bonus
point redemption via interface to player tracking systems). No cash
need be stored in the kiosk; therefore ATM (cash dispensing)
transactions are not necessary.
Such compact kiosks can be located at the end of banks of slot
machines, or nearby, to maximize convenience to casino patrons. Key
aspects of the kiosk are a small, sleek design, low cost and high
reliability. Design features include: 1. Compliance with gaming
regs and bank network rules 2. Reliability 3. Ease of manufacturing
4. Low cost 5. Use of minimal resources from gaming machine
manufacturers 6. Ease of installation and maintenance from casino
perspective (i.e. slot moves, ticket stock replenishment) 7. Ease
of installation.
Preferred kiosk design includes an extremely small footprint, the
smaller the better. The less intrusive the unit, the greater the
number of installation options there are across a slot floor.
An ideal installation method for a kiosk would be to embed it into
or on the side of slot machine cabinets at the end of a bank, to
the extent casino operators and gaming regulators will allow this.
The second best design approach would be a flat kiosk that takes up
as little space as possible situated in a walkway between banks.
One goal is to minimize the depth of the kiosk to ensure that the
kiosk creates no traffic flow issues for the casinos.
Preferred kiosk attributes include: 1. Aesthetics--an attractive,
sleek, "cutting edge" design; one that blends in with the
aesthetics of a slot floor. 2. Durability--a durable unit that can
withstand the wear and tear of a 24.times.7 casino environment.
Quality--Transaction reliability is paramount. No more than 1
unexpected error per 5,000 transactions. 4. Cost--Component
hardware cost able to be significantly reduced below ATM machine
costs. 5. Size--Limit hardware depth due to the limited space
between slot machines in the average casino. 6. Power
cable--ideally should be 10 feet in length with an in-line power
adaptor, not wall mount. Ideally modular at the device so cord can
be fed through metal stalk mount and cable holes in slot base. 7.
Expandability--designed at the software level with future
expandability in mind (i.e. promo tickets, bonus point lookup and
comp creation); without ATM functionality or bill breakage (cash
dispensing) because of desire for a small footprint. (Test results
show that demand for debit tickets on a slot floor is enough to
make device successful.) 8. Processing Capability--Thin Client or
Thick Client or Zero Client 9. Connectivity--Should support both
hard-wire and RF (wireless) communications (proprietary 2.4 GHZ or
802.11, for example). The preferable implementation is wireless
since this will allow casino operators to reconfigure their slot
floors without having to pull new cable or re-route existing cable.
(RS232 or TCP/IP to be determined) 10. PIN encryption--should meet
ANSI standards for "TDES" (triple DES) and "DUKPT" (derived unique
key per transaction). 11. VISA Certification--should be a VISA
approved PED. 12. EMV Certification--should meet EMV (Europay,
Mastercard, Visa) worldwide standards for firmware and circuitry
and how POS type devices inter-operate with one another. 13. FCC
Certification--if individual components are used to build kiosk
rather than an off-the-shelf POS terminal, FCC certification may be
necessary (Part 68 and/or 15). 14. OS--Linux operating system is
preferred. 15. Card Reader--ATM/debit and Smart card capable;
preferred is a vertical swipe, not horizontal. 16. PIN pad--no
longer needs to be a separate hard key or membrane keypad. It can
be embedded in the display screen as long as it complies with ANSI
and VISA PIN security requirements and supports TDES and DUKPT. 17.
Numeric Keypad--not required if a PIN pad is embedded in the
display. However, if one is included, it should be "water
splash-resistant." 18. Printer--Thermal printer with auto-cut and
partial perf capability. Should support ample size paper roll or
voucher stock. 19. Display--preferably no smaller than 2.75''
wide.times.1.75'' high. Should be readable in casino ambient
lighting. Color preferred. 20. User Interface--should be simple and
easy to use. Preferably only keys/buttons necessary to patron
perform a transaction should be available. On/off button should not
be exposed outside secure area of kiosk enclosure. 21. Software
Interface--should provide English and Spanish prompting. 22. Serial
ports--should have at least 2 available RS232 ports. One can be
used to communicate with an RF client radio; the other can be used
for a modem connection.
Table I lists design components to be considered for the most
effective implementations. Regardless of the options chosen, the
kiosk would preferably support both wired and wireless connectivity
in case a particular casino or jurisdiction prohibits one or the
other.
Likewise, because gaming regulatory requirements vary by
jurisdiction, options 1, 2, 6, 7, 11, and 12 of Table I need to
support two configurations relative to the Gaming Environment
server:
1. GE located at processors data center.
2. GE located within the casino.
FIGS. 5 through 19 include diagrams of each of the design option of
Table 1. The pros and cons of each design option as listed below.
Pros are listed with a prefix of "+" and cons are listed with a
prefix of " ".
FIGS. 5A, B--Design #1: GE Server (or the Like) Delivers Funds +
Completely wireless at slot floor level which eliminates the need
to pull cables to slot banks. This mobility can minimize device
downtime when slot floor reconfigurations occur. + Visa PED
certified terminal can save developmental cost and time to market
over a thin client that is not certified. + Because of the thick
client, the proprietary wireless solution can be used. + The
proprietary wireless product has already proven itself within a
casino environment. + Server level software can be leveraged for
the EOB kiosk system. + Should require less development resources
from gaming machine manufacturer. GE server may need to reside at
the casino because of funds delivery role. The kiosk system may
come under more gaming regulatory scrutiny if GE delivers funds.
Software changes/updates at the kiosk level require more resources
to manage/implement on a thick client than on a thin client.
FIGS. 6A,B--Design #2: GE Server (or the Like) Delivers Funds +
Visa PED certified terminal will save development cost and time to
market over a thin client that is not certified. + Server level
software can be leveraged for the EOB kiosk system. + Should
require less development resources from gaming machine manufacturer
compared to some other designs (i.e. #3). + No wireless segment
will save cost. Cable pulls from kiosk to GE server result in less
mobile unit. Slot floor reconfigurations will create more kiosk
downtime than design option #1. GE server may need to reside at the
casino because of funds delivery role. The kiosk system may come
under more gaming regulatory scrutiny than if GE delivers funds.
Software changes/updates at the kiosk level require more resources
to manage/implement on a thick client than on a thin client.
FIGS. 7A,B--Design #3: TITO Delivers Funds and Routes Auth
Messaging + End-of-bank kiosk system should incur less scrutiny
from gaming regulators because it does not deliver funds to kiosk.
+ Visa PED certified terminal will save developmental cost and time
to market over a thin client that is not certified. + Server level
software can be leveraged for the EOB kiosk system. + No wireless
segment will save cost. Will require more development resources
from gaming machine manufacturer TITO team for Auth message
handling. Cable pulls from kiosk to TITO server result in less
mobile unit. Slot floor reconfigurations will create more kiosk
downtime than wireless solutions. Software changes/updates at the
kiosk level require more resources to manage/implement on a thick
client than on a thin client.
FIGS. 8A,B--Design #4: TITO System Delivers Funds + Should require
less development resources from gaming machine manufacturer
compared to other designs (i.e. #3). + Visa PED certified terminal
will save development cost and time to market over a thin client
that is not certified. + Server level software can be leveraged for
the EOB kiosk system. + No wireless segment will save cost. Cable
pulls from kiosk to TITO server and to GE server result in less
mobile unit. Slot floor reconfigurations will create more kiosk
downtime than wireless solutions. Cable pulls to both TITO system
and GE server will add time and cost to implementation. GE server
may need to reside at the casino because of funds delivery role.
The kiosk system may come under more gaming regulatory scrutiny if
GE delivers funds. Software changes/updates at the kiosk level
require more resources to manage/implement on a thick client than
on a thin client.
FIGS. 9A,B--Design #5: TITO System Delivers Funds + Visa PED
certified terminal will save development cost and time to market
over a thin client that is not certified. + Because of the thick
client, the proprietary wireless solution can be used. + The
proprietary wireless product has already proven itself within a
casino environment. + Server level software can be leveraged for
the EOB kiosk system. GE server may need to reside at the casino
because of funds delivery role. The kiosk system may come under
more gaming regulatory scrutiny if GE delivers funds. Software
changes/updates at the kiosk level require more resources to
manage/implement on a thick client than on a thin client. Will
require cable pulls to both TITO system and RF access points in the
ceiling which will add time and cost to implementation.
FIGS. 10A,B--Design #6: GE Server (or the Like) Delivers Funds +
Completely wireless at slot floor level which eliminates the need
to pull cables to slot banks. This mobility will minimize device
downtime when slot floor reconfigurations occur. + Software
changes/updates at the kiosk level require fewer resources to
manage/implement on a thin client than on a thick client. + Should
require less development resources from gaming machine manufacturer
compared to other designs. 802.11 wireless has not been proven as a
reliable RF solution within a casino environment for this type of
application. GE server may need to reside at the casino because of
funds delivery role. The kiosk system may come under more gaming
regulatory scrutiny if GE delivers funds.
FIGS. 11A,B--Design #7: GE Server (or the Like) Delivers Funds +
Software changes/updates at the kiosk level require fewer resources
to manage/implement on a thin client than on a thick client. +
Should require less development resources from gaming machine
manufacturer compared to other designs (i.e. #3). + No wireless
segment will save cost. Cable pulls from kiosk to GE server result
in less mobile unit. Slot floor reconfigurations will create more
kiosk downtime than wireless solutions. GE server may need to
reside at the casino because of funds delivery role. The kiosk
system may come under more gaming regulatory scrutiny if GE
delivers funds.
FIGS. 12A,B--Design #8: TITO Delivers Funds and Routes Auth
Messaging + Software changes/updates at the kiosk level require
fewer resources to manage/implement on a thin client than on a
thick client. + Kiosk system should encounter less scrutiny from
gaming regulators since GE server is not delivering funds. + No
wireless segment will save cost. Will require more development
resources from gaming machine manufacturer TITO team for Auth
message handling. Cable pulls from kiosk to TITO server result in
less mobile unit. Slot floor reconfigurations will create more
kiosk downtime than a wireless solution at the kiosk level. Will
require cable pulls to both TITO system and RF access points in the
ceiling which will add time and cost to implementation.
FIGS. 13A,B--Design #9: TITO System Delivers Funds + Software
changes/updates at the kiosk level require fewer resources to
manage/implement on a thin client than on a thick client. + Should
require less development resources from Gaming Machine Manufacturer
compared to designs that require TITO to deliver funds and/or route
auth messaging. + No wireless segment will save cost. Cable pulls
from kiosk to TITO server and to GE server result in less mobile
unit. Slot floor reconfigurations will create more kiosk downtime
than wireless solution. Will require more development resources
from gaming machine manufacturer TITO team for ticket printing.
FIGS. 14A,B--Design #10: TITO System Delivers Funds + Kiosk system
should encounter less scrutiny from gaming regulators since GE
server is not delivering funds. 802.11 wireless has not been proven
as a reliable RF solution within a casino environment for this type
of application. Will require more development resources from gaming
machine manufacturer and TITO team for Auth message handling. Will
require cable pulls to both TITO system and RF access points in the
ceiling which will add time and cost to implementation.
FIGS. 15A,B--Design #11: GE Server (or the Like) Delivers Funds +
Zero client may save significant cost at the kiosk level. + Zero
client is the most effective approach for accomplishing quick
software updates/enhancements at kiosk. + Should require fewer
resources from gaming machine manufacturer since GE Server is
delivering funds. Response time is a concern. GE server may need to
reside at the casino because of funds delivery role. The kiosk
system may come under more gaming regulatory scrutiny if GE
delivers funds. 802.11 wireless has not been proven as a reliable
RF solution within a casino environment for this type of
application.
FIGS. 16 A,B--Design #12: GE Server (or the Like) Delivers Funds +
Zero client may save significant cost at the kiosk level. + Zero
client is the most effective approach for accomplishing quick
software updates/enhancements at kiosk. + No wireless segment will
lower cost. Response time is a concern. GE server may need to
reside at the casino because of funds delivery role. The kiosk
system may come under more gaming regulatory scrutiny if GE
delivers funds.
FIGS. 17A,B--Design #13: TITO Delivers Funds and Routes Auth
Messaging + Zero client may save significant cost at the kiosk
level. + Zero client is the most effective approach for
accomplishing quick software updates/enhancements at kiosk. + No
wireless segment will lower cost. + End-of-bank kiosk system should
incur less scrutiny from gaming regulators because it does not
deliver funds to kiosk. Response time is a concern. Will require
more development resources from gaming machine manufacturer and MO
team for Auth message handling.
FIGS. 18A,B--Design #14: TITO System Delivers Funds + Zero client
may save significant cost at the kiosk level. + Zero client is the
most effective approach for accomplishing quick software
updates/enhancements at kiosk. + No wireless segment will lower
cost. Response time is a concern. Will require more development
resources from gaming machine manufacturer and TITO team for funds
delivery. Cable pulls to both TITO system and GE server will add
time and cost to implementation.
FIGS. 19A, B--Design #15: TITO System Delivers Funds + Zero client
may save significant cost at the kiosk level. + Zero client is the
most effective approach for accomplishing quick software
updates/enhancements at kiosk. Response time is a concern. Will
require more development resources from gaming machine manufacturer
and TITO team for funds delivery. 802.11 wireless has not been
proven as a reliable RF solution within a casino environment for
this type of application. Will require cable pulls to both TITO
system and RF access points in the ceiling which will add time and
cost to implementation.
Design functionability for the server level includes back-office
software that can be used for reconciliation, reporting,
diagnostics and troubleshooting, and interface to banking network.
Because gaming regulation requirements vary by jurisdiction, the
server topology should to support two configurations relative to
the GE:
(1) GE located at the financial processor data center; and
(2) GE located within the casino.
FIGS. 20A-C illustrate topologies for an EOB kiosk and support
system. In FIGS. 20A-C the GCA data center functions as a financial
transaction merchant.
FIG. 20D illustrates a server level implementation.
FIGS. 21-23 illustrate three preferred transaction flow options.
These figures are discussed in more detail below.
FIG. 21--Transaction Flow Option A 1. Patron swipes or inserts
debit/ATM card at kiosk, enters PIN and amount, confirms surcharge,
and requests or declines a receipt. 2. Debit purchase request
message is sent via RF (wireless) or cable connection to financial
processor system. 3. Financial processor system sends request to
banking network (or new card, casino, private label or temp card
system) for debit withdrawal authorization. 4. Banking network (or
the like) approves debit withdrawal transaction and responds to
financial processor system. 5. Financial processor system sends
debit ticket request message to TITO (ticket-in/ticket-out) system.
6. TITO system responds to financial processor system with debit
ticket authorization message including appropriate validation data.
7. Financial processor system forwards debit ticket authorization
message to kiosk printer. 8. Kiosk prints a debit ticket (bar coded
slot voucher) in the amount of the debit withdrawal request. It
also prints a receipt if one was requested by the patron. 9. Kiosk
sends a confirmation message to the financial processor system
acknowledging that the debit ticket (and receipt if one was
requested) was successfully printed. 10. The financial processor
system sends a confirmation message to the TITO system
acknowledging that the debit ticket was successfully printed. 11.
The patron can redeem the voucher for cash at the casino cage,
cashier booth, or ticket redemption kiosk or insert it into the
bill acceptor of any properly equipped gaming machine.
FIG. 22--Transaction Flow Option B 1. Patron swipes or inserts
debit/ATM card at kiosk, enters PIN and amount, confirms surcharge,
and requests or declines a receipt. 2. Debit purchase request
message is sent via RF (wireless) or cable connection to financial
processor system. 3. Financial processor system sends a request to
TITO system (ticket-in/ticket-out system) to verify that slot
voucher printer is on-line and in a `ready state` to print voucher.
4. TITO system verifies printer status via RF or cable connection
5. TITO system sends message back to financial processor system
confirming that the printer is on-line and ready. 6. Financial
processor system sends request to banking network (or new card,
casino, private label or temp card system) for debit withdrawal
authorization. 7. Banking network (or the like) approves debit
withdrawal transaction and responds to financial processor system.
8. Financial processor system sends authorization message to TITO
system to generate a debit ticket (bar coded slot voucher). 9.
Financial processor system sends a message to kiosk to display the
text: "Transferring Your Funds." 10. TITO system sends a message to
the voucher printer to print a debit ticket in the amount of the
debit withdrawal request. 11. The voucher printer generates a debit
ticket in the amount of the debit withdrawal request. It also
prints a receipt if one was requested by the patron. 12. The patron
can redeem the debit ticket for cash at the casino cage or cashier
booth or insert it into the bill acceptor of any properly equipped
gaming machine. FIG. 23--Transaction Flow Option C 1. Patron swipes
or inserts debit/ATM card at kiosk, enters PIN and amount, confirms
surcharge, and requests or declines a receipt. 2. Debit purchase
request message is sent via RF (wireless) or cable connection to
TITO system. 3. TITO system verifies printer status 4. TITO system
forwards debit withdrawal request to financial processor system. 5.
Financial processor system sends request to banking network (or new
card, casino, private label or temp card system) for debit
withdrawal authorization. 6. Banking network (or the like) approves
debit withdrawal transaction and responds to financial processor
system. Financial processor system sends authorization message to
TITO system to generate a debit ticket (bar coded slot voucher). 7.
TITO system sends a message to the voucher printer to print a debit
ticket in the amount of the debit withdrawal request. 8. The
voucher printer generates a debit ticket in the amount of the debit
withdrawal request. It also prints a receipt if one was requested
by the patron. 9. The patron can redeem the debit ticket for cash
at the casino cage or cashier booth or insert it into the bill
acceptor of any properly equipped gaining machine.
FIGS. 5A,B-19A,B illustrate the role of a financial transaction
merchant, including a cashless gateway and/or the requisite
servers, in communication with a new card accounting system and a
casino card accounting system, in one embodiment. The financial
transaction merchant of course may encompass the cashless gateway.
The financial transaction merchant and the cashless gateway may be
illustrated separately in the figures for the purposes of clarity,
or represented by relevant servers.
FIGS. 21-23 as well as FIG. 3B also illustrate a receipt
reader/scanner. The receipt reader/scanner is intended to indicate
an automated method for reading a receipt or ticket or temporary
card, or even permanent card, which would facilitate identification
and communication with either or both of a new card accounting
system and or a casino card accounting system.
In order to expressly exhibit a sense of social responsibility, the
instant invention includes a further feature. This feature can be
incorporated into the stand-alone kiosk of the instant invention,
although it can be incorporated as well into electronic funds
transfer equipment of a casino-based ATM or into POS/EFT equipment
integrated into and/or with a gaming or a slot machine. The
invention involves providing a player or patron an option for
selecting a "personal daily limit" for electronic funds transfer
for gaming. The patron or player may also be provided with an
option to select a time limit for the "personal daily limit." Such
time limit would be a time period, such as six months, for which
the player wishes the personal daily limit to apply to that card.
Having selected a "personal daily limit," the electronic funds
transfer system will not grant an electronic funds transfer with
regard to that card in a gaming establishment, or for gaming
activity, to the extent that the funds for that day exceed the
"personal daily limit" then in effect.
The personal daily limit could have a casino wide maximum that
applied to everyone, as well. A player-selected personal daily
limit safeguards against compulsive gambling in the heat of the
moment with a greater amount then originally planned.
Background--EFT Cards and Accounts and House Accounts
An EFT card and account system generally involves a consumer or
patron, an issuing bank or account issuer, a merchant, a
transaction processor network and a card system architect/governor
providing regulations. A consumer establishes an account with an
issuer in a particular account provider's system using a particular
transaction processor network. (A merchant has an account with a
merchant bank relating to that system and receives EFT credit
therein for transactions.). Cards from different provider systems
are run through the same EFT terminals, transaction information is
typically added, and transactions are electronically forwarded for
approval and processing using commercial transaction processors and
system specific EFT networks. Transactions are governed by rules in
accordance with the system established by the system provider of
architect/governor regulations. A transaction is (or at least can
be) first approved/disapproved and then subsequently electronically
cleared. The consumer account is debited and the merchant account
is credited via an electronic funds transfer (EFT,) either
immediately or periodically. Upon opening an account there is
typically a week to ten days wait for the card to arrive by mail.
Usually an account can not be used until the card has arrived and
been activated
In the gaming industry a casino agent frequently assumes the role
of "merchant" for a plurality of casino and/or gaming
establishments. This agent is frequently referred to as a merchant.
This merchant is well positioned to collect important historical
data in regard to EFT gaming transactions. In the case of a "house"
credit account, with or without a card, a merchant (which can be a
casino) typically assumes many of the roles mentioned above. The
merchant issues the account and card, if any, maintains the
consumer account, offers the line of credit, bills and collects.
The merchant deposits in its own account when the consumer pays,
typically clearing consumer checks in normal fashion. The house
card is good only at that particular merchant's locations. The
merchant is well positioned to obtain important data on the buying
habits and creditworthiness of its customers. The merchant sets the
account credit limit and can effect account transactions
essentially immediately upon opening an account
Co-sponsored accounts and cards can be somewhat of a hybrid between
a credit card account and a house card account. The "merchant" role
and co-account issuer's role can be assumed by a merchant or an EFT
agent merchant, which agent merchant may service many different
establishment merchants. This merchant may also assume some of the
roles of the provider of system architect/governor regulations. A
commercial system provider may be utilized as a co-account issuer
so that an EFT card provided would be useable on terminals for
general purpose EFT cards and would be processable by commercial
transaction processors such as MasterCard. A merchant might also
provide at least in part an electronic network for use for
transactions, particularly transactions immediately upon opening an
account.
A gaming oriented credit card and account could be utilized for any
"credit card" purchase. However, the system will likely be
structured with a gaming transaction as the paradigmatic
transaction. In this case "cash advance for gaming" may be the
paradigmatic transaction. The "transaction costs" of the instant
system may be structured to be borne in specific gaming oriented
ways. In at least some embodiments the system might limit non-cash
advance purchases, or non-gaming oriented transactions, in
particular by the transaction cost system, or by the use of
multiple credit limits and/or multiple cash advance limits,
depending on the type of transaction.
The preferred gaming oriented credit card account is tailored to be
used in, and to be efficient for, the gaming environment. Such
gaming accounts preferably have a cash advance limit commensurate
with their credit limit. The cash advance limit and/or credit limit
would typically be based on EFT gaming transaction history,
preferably including the EFT gaming transaction history of the
particular patron. In such a system the risk of loss through
granting credit for gaming should be minimized while the capacity
to reasonably access funds on credit should be maximized. Limiting
the capacity to use the account for non-gaming oriented goods and
services would reflect a realistic limitation, given the
transaction cost structure set in place.
Typically, a gaming oriented account card would be associated with
a PIN or the like. A PIN or the like is some system, now known or
adopted in the future, by which the account owner identifies
himself or herself in addition to, or other than, simply possessing
and presenting a card.
To summarize, the preferred gaming oriented credit card account is
created particularly for use in gaming (although not solely.) The
account is associated with a credit card. The credit card is
processable through a general purpose credit/debit card terminals.
The account is usable in variably owned gaming establishments. It
is not limited to one particular gaming house, even if that house
has a plurality of locations. The cash advance limit is
commensurate with the credit limit of the account, at least for
gaming oriented transaction, and is preferably based on a prior
history of EFT gaming transaction. Preferably, this prior history
would be a prior history of the account opener and/or owner.
Importantly, as in a house card, or other co-sponsored cards,
credit is preferably available essentially immediately upon opening
a new gaming account in appropriate circumstances. The information
upon which an immediate transaction secures an approval/disapproval
and upon which a subsequent electronic clearing of an immediate use
of the account can be based can come from a temporary card or
voucher or receipt or the like, or can be hand entered, as by
numbers or a PIN or words.
Especially playing the role of gaming oriented account issuer and
merchant, the account issuer is well positioned to issue a patron
selection card and to reward a selection coded card account user.
The account issuer is in position to offer selection code oriented
rewards (spa time, golf time) upon presentation of the card,
including even cash at cash dispensing terminals and casino
cages.
FIGS. 26A-D illustrate the front and backsides of one embodiment of
a female-type and male-type coded patron selection card.
FIG. 25 illustrates a preferred embodiment of an auto-roll system
to establish a credit line, preferably after receiving a decline
from a card issuing bank. In the first step a patron makes a
request for a cash advance or quasi cash transaction using a
general purpose credit card. Typically this would be at an
automated station that is customer activated, the station having a
POS device or PC interface. Step two indicates that a bank card
issuer declines the transaction. Typically this is because an
arbitrary cash advance limit has been exceeded, the cash advance
limit not having been targeted to the gaming environment. The third
step comprises an auto-roll prompt to give a customer an option to
establish a new gaming-oriented credit line. Preferably the account
issuer or co-issuer will be the merchant, an entity standing in the
shoes of the casino as merchant. The auto-roll query or prompt is
preferably stimulated at the automated station when a customer
receives a transaction decline, but it could come first.
In the fourth step, if a customer chooses to apply for a new credit
line, a user interface prompts the customer to enter credit related
data such as social security number, date of birth, address, etc.
Preferably an account issuer or co-issuer, standing in the shoes of
the casino as merchant, has access to detailed EFT gaming
transaction history, including information on the customer. This
detailed EFT gaming transaction history becomes an indicator as to
the appropriateness and responsibleness of issuing a new credit
card with a cash advance limit commensurate with its credit limit,
and what that limit should be. The new credit line, of course,
could also be a casino in-house line of credit. The casino credit
line will be approved by the casino since it is the casino that
bears the risk.
In step five, based on this information, a new credit line is
established. Means will be put in place such that the customer can
now draw on the line to get money, at least at the casino or where
the account issuer or co co-issuer is also merchant or master
merchant of the transaction, preferably almost immediately. The
customer might use a temporary card together with a PIN and/or an
extra password or number and/or a paper receipt or scannable
voucher or the like in order to begin to immediately utilize the
credit line.
The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the invention
is presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is
not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the
precise form or embodiment disclosed. The description was selected
to best explain the principles of the invention and their practical
application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the
invention in various embodiments. Various modifications as are best
suited to the particular use are contemplated. It is intended that
the scope of the invention is not to be limited by the
specification, but to be defined by the claims set forth below.
Since the foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are
illustrative and explanatory thereof, various changes in the size,
shape, and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated
device may be made without departing from the spirit of the
invention. The invention is claimed using terminology that depends
upon a historic presumption that recitation of a single element
covers one or more, and recitation of two elements covers two or
more, and the like. Also, the drawings and illustration herein have
not necessarily been produced to scale.
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